Anniversary of the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

November 10, 2004

Nov. 10 marks the 29th anniversary of the wreck at sea of the cargo ship The Edmund Fitzgerald, immortalized by Gordon Lightfoot in song. Twenty-nine hands were lost in rough water on the Great Lakes and it has never been established exactly what brought the ship down. Lightfoot reportedly wrote the song because a newspaper story misspelled the name of the ship and he felt the seamen deserved greater respect. The Edmund Fitzgerald was on its way to Cleveland to deliver its freight when the accident took place and you can experience what it would be like to be aboard a similar steamship by taking a tour of the William G. Mather Museum. Great Lakes Brewing Company has a beer named after the ship.

On another Gordon Lightfoot note, you have until the end of this month to play our fun G.L. quiz (as more than 710 listeners already have) in honor of his new recording, Harmony. Remember, you only have one shot (no using that pesky "back" button either!). Tell your friends!